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Ritual Axe

c. 1407–1410

Sino-Tibetan, Derge School, Yongle period

(1403-1427)
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Medium
iron alloy with gold and silver inlay
Measurements
Overall: 40.4 cm (15 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1978.9.1
Public Domain
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Location
237 Himalayan
Print

Description

Ceremonial weaponry was used in tantric rituals to combat obstacles to enlightenment, such as ignorance, delusions, and selfishness. In 1407, a high-ranking Tibetan monastic patriarch visited the emperor of the Ming dynasty, known as Yongle. The Yongle emperor presented him with a number of gifts, of which this ritual axe was probably a component, since the axe bears his identifying inscription in a cartouche. Imperial Chinese workmanship is noted in the lush rendering of the lion heads from which the blades emerge, the calligraphic serpentine forms, and the cloud motifs.

Ritual Axe

c. 1407–1410

Sino-Tibetan, Derge School, Yongle period (1403-1427)

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